[$] The Dragon (Knux33 <3)

[Killer_Kiwi_XD]

knux33

Aerion enjoyed all the nights they had on the road, enjoyed them more than he probably should have, and he was more than happy to indulge him the dragon in every whim and desire. What Aeiron wasn't expecting through all of it was the possessive desire to keep him close after sex, Balrak would sometimes not let him move a step to clean up, but then again the man seemed to think he would run off after every little bout they had of their fun. The blond understood it in a way, he was used to impregnating and leaving just like that, so he most likely figured that was what Aerion was used to and while the blond had to admit he was much more used to that then staying around but he had a few times where he was permitted to stay and was held close.

When they made it back to the city Aerion was surprised to be drug into the bedroom and then pulled down on the bed for a slightly quicker than usual joust… that then ended but later with both of them exhausted and falling asleep. Aerion didn't stay asleep for long, he never did, he had little need for as much sleep as Balrak so when he woke and the dragon was still sleep the blond decided to take care of what he needed to with the horses and the fruits. The horses were happy to stay in a section of the lush garden, eating what they wanted and prancing around, though Aerion made sure they would not eat or trample any of the fruits. He then planted some of the fruits he had purchased so that he would not need to go back to a town to get them.

It didn't take long, not long at all, and soon Aerion found himself woefully bored with the dragon sleeping in his bed and not bothering to even move. At first the blond intention was just to see if Balrak was awake, or if loud noises would wake him up, when none of it did Aerion found himself even more bored so…he started climbing. He liked climbing, hanging from things and causing a bit of trouble so he decided that it would be a lot of fun to do so at the moment. It took him some time to sort out how to get to the chandelier over the bed and he wondered if it would hold him but as he set foot on it he was surprised by how sturdy it was. It could hold ten of him easily and Aerion just chuckled and walked around on it.

It was large, with hand holds, elegant and ornate but also the perfect place to sit. He was moving around the chandelier minding his own business when a pain hit his stomach that distracted him. He slipped, falling, and was only saved a painful landing thanks to the vines of gems and his foot getting caught. Unfortunately one of his shoes was not saved that indignity and plummeted to the ground, he should have known to wear his better ones, or rather fell right on top a sleeping dragons head. The reaction was instant, Balrak was up and angry, and Aeiron could do nothing but stare until the man spotted him in his precarious situation. "I…Uh…." Aerion just stared, arms crossed and swinging slightly, before his other shoe slid from it precarious perch on his foot and hit the bed next to Balrak.

"I was bored…" He started off slowly. "And you were not awake so… I climbed up here and… well I slipped because my stomach hurt and…. I think I am stuck." Aerion tried not to look scolded but he had much the same conversation with his father a long while ago where the man had asked him why he was stuck in the top of the curtains. "You werent awake…. I was bored. There isn't much to do when your asleep… but now I can't get down. I can't fly so if I drop I will get hurt….." Aerion pouted.

**

Zimmen was staring at the book, though intrigued by what the other had to say, before he glanced up at the man. "It's just an assumption but while reading through some of this I can see that there are instances where young drakes seem to just "vanish" or they appear out of no where. I have known a great many people in my time who had much the same ability. They were, are, wizards. They can change their form to suite them at any moment." Zimmen closed the book he was looking at. "I can't be sure, there isn't enough in here, but if you show me some others I think I can figure it out. We already know dragons are creatures of magic much the same as elves and half men… do you know about Hobbits? You probably do… Anyway unlike the dwarves and humans these creatures are different, they have power, bow to different gods that give them what they have." Zimmen carefully gathered everything up neatly, always gentle with the old works, he had read books before that everyone though would crumble to pieces with a single touch.

"For the elves it is almost another world that controls them, they never truly die unless they are killed, instead they are called to another land to live another life. Wizards are much the same… there are few of them and when they are near death they are often just brought back by their god. Hobbits on the other hand…. They are much like mortals… smaller than dwarves though and they seem to live rather long lives. They can handle a great deal of torment and are very, very, innocent creatures." Zimmen smiled, remembering the few he had met that had been more than happy to speak to him. They were almost like children.


((I am glad there will be more. I love that anime. XD))  

[knux33]

Killer_Kiwi_XD

"..." The dragon stared, mouth opening and closing with words he couldn't get out in his frustration, anger, and blooming worry for the damned elf who had somehow managed to get himself into a direly bad situation. Hissing out a very unhappy sigh, the dragon looked around and wondered how the elf had managed to even get himself up there before the dragon closed his eyes and took the easy route up: he shifted so he was a very odd kind of creature indeed. His arms were now wings much like his dragon form and much of his body was now covered in shining green scales that ranged from jade to emerald, and horns poking out from his hair. With one massive leap and one wing flap Balrak was on the chandelier, looking down at Aerion and carefully looking at how the other's leg was entangled. The dragon grabbed hold of Aerion's leg with deadly talons, the pressure hard enough to hold tightly but not enough to break skin or tear cloth. With the elf held securly, Balrak slowly and carfully began the process of freeing the prince without breaking the jewel chain.

"I've left you to your own devices longer than this, elf, without you ending up upside down ... unless you've kept your imbecilic tendencies to yourself before?" Getting the elf free, Balrak didn't immediately right him. Instead, the dragon lifted the other male up (still upside down) and stared at Aerion eye-to-eye, frowning. "... Are you going to do this everytime I take a nap."

*

"Wizards ..." Slayer tilted his head. "My tribe has not seen a single wizard since we first formed. If I remember what was read" (to him) "correctly ... the wizard was not very pleased with what my ancestors intended to do. But yes; I have heard of elves and hobbits, though I've seen neither in person." The dragon slayer began picking up the tomes and books and beginning to put them away whether Zimmen was ready to finish for the night or not.

"It's late. Come; let's go to bed and speak more on the subject tomorrow once you've had access to more of the old leathers." The redhead began putting the precious items away behind the curtain that led the the eye-socket that served as a storage closet. "Though it does sound intriguing ... though if dragons could do something like that, why not do so when larger and hunted down ... Pride, perhaps. The habits of the older beasts do deviate greatly from the young." As he squirreled the works away Slayer grinned almost bitterly. "Like mankind, is the dragon to grow too prideful to take a cowardly retreat when a wrathful stand against death is more appealing to old age? Or do they imagine themselves too great for such a thing once they name themselves?"

Shaking his head, the man removed the cloth that had been covering his lower bits. Impressive lower bits, to be sure, but luckily nothing too intimidating. Slayer, as Zimmen had already seen, was not massive and hugely-muscled like many of the brutes here, but a more reserved kind of built. Obviously strong but not bulky as he walked back over to Zimmen and looked the other up and down before smiling a little. "It's custom to sleep without anything on when sleeping with the tribe's 'Slayer', whether compilation is to happen that night or not. Though I imagine your long journey here has tired you. We can just rest tonight." The redhead said this like he was being gracious.  

[Killer_Kiwi_XD]

knux33

[

Aerion scoffed at the other as he helped him and finally managed to lift him out of the chandelier without breaking anything. He pouted at the dragon for a moment, not wanting to answer before sighing. "I usually have great balance. I haven't gotten stuck in anything for years now…. My stomach hurting threw me off." Aerion shifted in the others grasp before looking down at the ground and waiting for the other to oh so kindly take him back down so he wouldn’t fall. Once on the ground again, or more like the bed, Aerion flopped down and stared up at the man. "I apologize for my idiocy. Thank you for coming to my rescue." Aerion grinned before grabbing Balrak and pulling him down with him on the bed.

"Now if you want to go back to sleep I won't mind but I thought you might want to catch up on your archery." Or the dragon could decide to go eat like he had before, to go fish up some giant beast to sate his hunger, Aerion didn't care either way he was just restless. He felt better with Balrak being awake but he felt he couldn’t sleep for the next hundred years, even if he tried, he couldn’t understand why and he didn't feel like figuring out… just staying moving.

**

Zimmen wanted to pout at the fact that books and papers were being put away, he hadn't finished all of them yet, but of course Slayer was right. There was a time for knowledge and a time for sleep but when the other mentioned the wizards not liking what his tribe was doing Zimmen chuckled. "I would imagine so. Wizards believed for a long time their magic was connected to dragons." Zimmen turned just in time to see the other drop the cloth around his waist and he couldn’t help but stare. This man had an excellent body and the lower parts were just as fine as one could have imagined which left Zimmen wondering if he could even compare. He did the smart thing though and didn't protest, removing his clothes a bit slowly, he wasn't often one to stick auond after a romp in the sheets so this would be a new experience for him.

Zimmen undid his hair, stripped down, then covered himself with his hands. He had confidence yes but with the other male staring at him, as if he was inspecting him, Zimmen found it all a bit odd. He was used to glances, even praise, but to have someone look him over so headily as if he was a great prize yet to be conquered…. Zimmen wasn't sure how he felt about that. Instead he waited for the other to lay down where they would be sleeping and then he got into the bed and joined the man. He was tired, more tired than he thought, and there were a few moments where he thought that maybe he could stay awake but before Slayer was even fully comfortable Zimmen was asleep.

((If you want to skip around or anything, do anything, go ahead biggrin ))  

[knux33]

Killer_Kiwi_XD

“Just years, huh.” Balrak hardly looked convinced at the 'stomach pain' excuse, especially considering a few years ago Aerion had likely been completely full grown and mature like he was right now. Elves were immortal like that. Maybe if Aerion had said decades he would've been a bit less skeptical. But as it was the dragon was quite amused by seeing so many of the stolen prince's expressions upside-down before he flew them back down to the bed. The dragon was just beginning to shift into his more fully human form with dragon tail (the more familiar shape easier to hold) as Aerion grabbed him and pulled him down, making the smoking creature huff a could before staring in the elf's eyes as the other spoke and they both laid there. Balrak reached up with one hand and twirled one of the elve's golden locks with one finger, pondering before grinning.

“I wish to see what new treasures you bought me. Then archery … then I will feed. If I can trust you not to get stuck like a bear cub up a tree again. If I can't go get something proper to devour I may have to finally just get around to eating you instead,” the dragon harrumphed, though unlike all the other times he'd ever threatened the elf this one seemed wholly empty. Except for the dragon licking his lips and nibbling playfully on one of Aerion's pointy ears gently, throat rumbling with a mock-growl. Balrak had found far more pleasurable ways to 'eat' the elf, anyway. After that little tease though the dragon hopped off of Aerion and fled the room to go search for the cart and the new shinies the elf had gotten him. It seemed the elf might've taught Balrak the rewards of patience and restraint a bit too well.

So, time passed rather nicely. Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months, the dragon getting through more archery practice, 'patience' practice, even going out to eat twice and delighting in scaring the living daylights out of different sailors each time, as gleeful as a mean child dumping a bucket of water on a bunch of helpless ants. Life was good. And, oddly, there was no sight or smell of Aerion's supposed elf friends who should be coming. Oh well, their loss.

The dragon, currently, was worried though. For his elf. The outing had been good, but the golden-haired beauty was showing odd inklings again.

In his true form Balrak lounged in one of the great courtyards of his kingdom, basking in the noon sun, liking how the light shined against his scales and picking at his underbelly a little bit, where the molten gold was melted against the skin of his belly (between the massive scales there) and where a few gems had sunken into the molded gold and irritated his softer bits. But what to do about Aerion?

'

Slayer grinned at Zimmen's cupping himself as they got into bed, amazed at just how clear and soft all of the blond's skin was. As unhurt by the world as a newborn babe. And the other falling asleep so fast was astonishing to the redhead who looked down, fascinated and smiling to himself before pulling a bear-skin blanket over the both of them and wrapping his arms around Zimmen, still marveling. In such a harsh world this far north … such softness was more valuable to him than the greatest heap of dragon scales and trophies. The King of dragon killers closed his eyes, and on the morn woke early and marveled at Zimmen again before waking the prince with a kiss before whispering in the other's ear: “The faster you get dressed, the faster we'll get to the vault, dearie,” as an extra incentive, just in case the bookworm was a slow waker.

The escort to the vault had them flanked by Leif and some other guard (Riggit probably laid-up with the new company) high into a dwarf-carved tunnel In some nitch of the cavern above even the high-resting dragon skull. And from there they climbed; the tunnel was mostly made up of stairs going steeply upwards without mercy, the temperature quickly plummeting as they ascended at a merciless pace.

But after what must've seemed forever to anyone not accustomed to continual exertion up a almost never-ending criss-crossing stairwell, the path turned to a door where one grizzled older man sat guard. Slayer got in with no question, even with a foreigner and two guards laden with books to return to The Great Vault. As they entered, the single door opened into a hallway that split in two directions.

“You will only be allowed in the East Wing; that is where all the books you want to see are, anyway,” Slayer told Zimmen, taking off his own large goat-fur mantle and draped it over the blond as they entered the cold left hallway door. Though, somehow, it was obvious an even more massive chill came from the door not taken; the one to the West.

But behind door number one was a chill, dry space calk-full of tomes, books, leather scrolls, and all sorts of surfaces used to write on. All carefully lined up in one massive rectangular room that stretched on, and on. Years of first-hand accounts and observations, along with books that attempted to condense all that information for young, would-be dragonslayers.

The a small part of the wall was also lined with a few scales and had specific paperwork for each scale; and all of them were colored, unlike the all-black scales seen below. Each scale was one able to be taken from a dragon, but the dragon having got away and likely to be still living in parts unknown.

“Only living drakes have color to their scales; the dead are all black and ashen,” Slayer said quietly, and smiled. “Well, go on then. Have fun. And don't make too much of a mess.”

The redhead chuckled, letting Zimmen have at it … and let time pass in this fashion, surprisingly lax about any sort of bed copulation requirements except just sleeping together (without clothes) every night.

A message returned from the King; one very sternly and unhappily worded about what Zimmen had chosen to do without consent but … ultimately agreeing, and lightly citing Noran's own attempts at getting help from the elves as sounding less successful than Zimmen's ability to get an entire army of dragon slayers. And praising Zimmen for his 'sacrifice' for the good of the kingdom. The later text also promised that they would supply the manpower necessary.

So, preparations began. Soon, Zimmen's men were allowed almost-free reign and were quite the popular sparring partners as the fighting force got up to fighting fit. Older men giving advice and those too young to join in pouting on the side lines, every so often giving one sparer or another a 'surprise dragon fire attack!'. Which … basically amounted to the little rascals whipping out their litter dragons and pissing on the combatants from some higher ledge before fleeing away.

Once they were all ready and supply caravans all settled from the dwarven cities, they would begin the march from their home towards where the dragon was nesting. But that would be a while yet, and months had already passed.

'

The cool, early morning was newborn and still wet with dew when Noran first caught sight of his home. Cresting the top of a rolling hill as their group walked down the well-worn dirt road, he could see the light grey stone walls rising high around the noble's court, and the even higher walls of the Inner Keep and castle itself. The soft plumes of smoke drifting up from the sprawled-out town laying at the foot of the walls softened the otherwise-clear view, but it didn't matter. To the labrador-blond prince, the sight was as clear as raindrop.

Noran smiled for the first time since waking up that morning and having to leave Darlin's side. He'd greatly enjoyed the time he'd gotten to have with the other … perhaps more than he should have, thinking abut it. But he hadn't been able to help himself, they just … clicked, so perfectly. He couldn't get enough of the raven-haired elf, and yet now they had to quit each other cold turkey. Once they were in his father's kingdom, he had to be Prince Noran and they had to be … well. A group of elves in less-than-neutral-territory. For now … at the foot of the hill they'd reached the peak of, the road led into the King's Woods.

“Almost there. Just got to go through these woods, and we'll be home old boy,” he whispered to the bay stallion beneath him, the horse's ears flicking back to hear him. Nathan gave the beast a fond pat and trying not to look Darlin's way. Not even there yet and he was already missing the elf. Straightening up with a sigh the prince went quite as they rode onwards; an odd and foreign group for these parts to be sure.

But at least the woods a final haven before they reached the city, even if it was possibly very different from what the elves were used to. The woods were used for timber, so the ground was unusually clear of shrubbery, fallen branches, or downed trees. Every bit of timber good for harvesting was taken for firewood regularly, though hunting was strictly controlled. Because if the whole city went out looking for fresh rabbit for dinner the woods would be empty faster than a farm cat on a lame mouse. Hence the name the “King's Wood” instead of “Everyone-and-their-Neighbor's Wood”. The place was mainly for licensed hunters, and the rare social hunt by the king and his nobles with a bunch of fancy fast horses, beaters, and a whole pack of hounds--

Nor blinked, head lifting at a familiar bay in the distance, eyes wide in surprise. Speaking of a pack of hounds, looks like they were out today. And by the way the single bay was soon joined by a chorus of enthusiastic echos with rising volume, they'd scented him on the wind. With a sigh, Nor turned and couldn't stop himself from giving Darlin a grin. “Remember when you said ya wanted to see dogs sometime? Well … looks like now's your chance. Oh and guys, please don't shoot any of 'em okay? They're like-- um … really friendly wolves, alright?” Nor said to the rest of the group as he dismounted and quickly tied his bay stallion up off at a tree before moving himself off of the road and a bit into the woods; towards the ever-louder baying. And, faintly beginning to be heard behind the din, a man cursing up a storm.

Noran sighed in relief; it sounded like it was just the Houndmaster out with the pack today then. Having the hounds lead a royal or noble hunting party right to the elves would not have been the best way to make a first impression, either way. Though he wasn't sure meeting the Houndmaster himself was quite a great step in the right direction either …

Oh well. Nor had been traveling with these guys more than long enough to know that had a good sense of humor at least, and could handle the wild. He just hoped they could handle a man who was really wild.

Then a couple dozen hounds broke from the treeline, flowing around obstacles like water over stone as they be-lined for Noran as the pack howled and bayed joyfully at the young man's appearance, tails whipping in wags and jumping all of the prince trying to lick his face all at once and climbing over each other to do in a man jumble of white, tan, and black. Their nails scrambled harmlessly and comically against the prince's iron armor and Nor just laughed and held himself steady under the torrent of pure, unleashed excitement for a bit before the hounds calmed a little. Then he knelt down and pat the canines, who returned his affections with very sloppy kisses.

“Oi ya stupid sons and bitches of bitches! Lay off the poor man! He ain't a ********' deer ya bunch of ********? NOR, YA LITTLE s**t!” In the wake of the dogs a tall, broad-chested man walked down the deer path, a massive grin spreading on his wolfish face when he realized just who his pack had detoured to go see. Though … he'd been smiling a little even as he'd been cursing, like he'd guessed or somehow knew who it was even before he'd come into sight. Like Noran, his black hair was cut short. Probably for the best, considering both men enjoyed the outdoors and rough housing. The Houndmaster walked straight towards Nor, hounds parting before him like water for a water wizard, and grabbed the armored man in a great big hug. The Houndmaster could still easily reach all the way around Nor, armor and all, and even lifted the blond about an inch before setting him down and giving a massive smack on the back. “Damn Puppy, you've been gone one hell of a long time. An' came back with quite the parade, didn't cha?”

Noran was horribly embarrassed to see the grizzled woodsman looking at the elves like a wolf looked at sheep, trying to pick out the prefect tasty bite. As open to that sort of things as this group was, Nor thought of the Houndmaster like a dear Uncle; the man had taught him everything he knew about the woods, hunting, riding, taking care of hounds; all of the things he'd always loved best while Zimmen had loved his books and their eldest brother Kigen had excelled at military arts and one-on-one combat. And seeing 'Uncle' hit on his new friends was … well, gross. Sure, the old guy had to be at least 48, but the Houndmaster didn't look a day over 23, maybe 25. He'd looked that way since Noran was just a snot-nosed kid sneaking into the kennels to try to ride the bigger hounds around and to play with the puppies; hence the nicname. The Houndmaster had found Nor in the pup pen so often he'd just kept to calling the kid that, even long after the nicname fit.

“Houndmaster Gr--”

“Don't stop me now Pup, these are the hottest bits of meat in these woods since I first got here; let a man have his fun.” With a mischievous but determined wink fit for a person more than have his age (or maybe a lone wolf looking to sneak into a rival pack and score before the alpha found out) the man left Nor to struggle with the pack still trying to lick him to death and easily got over to the elves and their horses, grinning widely. He snorted at Darlin, snickering out “Pup's been busy” while passing the goodlooking (but taken) elf and walking past the others in quick order, working his way through the 'flock' and straight to the one that mattered. The tastiest-smelling little lamb of all.

“Well hullo stranger. Houndmaster is my occupation. Gregory is my name. How about you and me ditch these mongrels for a pint at the best place in town.” He grinned, as if knowing he totally had this one in the back, leaning cooly against Salin's horse like this was completely the best time to have this kind of conversation. “And have the best shag of your life afterwards.”

“For God's sake Uncle Greg” Nor was blushing horribly and had one hand against his face embarrassment. “They're important guests of my father!”

“Sweet. Jus' means we can do it all sneaky-like in the guest's quarters then. Nicer sheets, good choice,” Gregory said sideways to Salin as If the other was a chicken already plucked and gutted, ready for the oven.

((So I uh ... did a thing. With a werewolf. :3 ))  

[Killer_Kiwi_XD]

knux33

Over the next few months Aerion was more than happy to teach balrak and also help the other with what every he could. It didn't get very boring now that he ahd more things to occupy his time, there were a few times where they didn't leave his room for two or three days. It starting getting weird though and Aerion found himself acting out of the ordinary a few months after they had returned. Little things would make him irritated, or upset, sometimes his stomach was upset and he couldn’t eat but then when he did he was craving things he had never before. There was one time he had even asked Balrak to get him some meat and when he ate it his stomach had been sated for days.

It was all vry odd though and Aerion could tell that Balrak thought it was odd as well. Which was why the elf was currently laying by himself in his room staring at the wall and questioning what was wrong with him. The oddest part was the strange lump in his stomach that kept getting bigger and biger. It was hard, but not overly hard, and Aerion didn't understand what was going on. He was trying to think about what was going on, pressing systematically on his stomach, until apparently what ever the mass was decided it didn't like the poking and prodding and decided to move. Aerion jerked up in bed in surprise, looking down at his stomach, before feeling a small pain with the next movement before seeing something pressed against his stomach and jumping out of the bed.

The blond stared at himself in the mirror, looking at the bump, why trying to focus on what this might be. It couldn’t be what he thought it was, shouldn’t be, couldn’t possibly but then again Balrak was a creature of magic, so was he, natural laws didn't apply and Aerion had heard over his years of this happening to elves. Rarely though, very rarely, and usually only to felicitate a dying breed… but dragons were dying out weren't they? They were fading faster than even the elves and that meant… Aerion went to go find Balrak and ask if he had some how done this, perhaps it was just a joke, and once he found the dragon he grabbed his hand. "I want you to tell me now if you are playing a joke on me?" Aerion waited for an answer before being surprised by Balrak telling him that , no, he wasn’t joking with him.

"Then I guess you just did the impossible…" He pressed the other hand over his moving stomach. "There is a little dragon in there Balrak… You got me pregnant somehow." Aerion wasn't sure how to react, his brain was saying rip it out. He knew that was just panic talking from the continual movement but at the same time what if he was wrong? What if it was a parasite living inside him and slowly consuming him?

**

The day they finally came close enough to the city was the day Darlin found himself regretting the last few months. He had not bothered to be candid in his affections with Noran, his whole group knew that this affection was a lot more than simple infatuation. Darlin has found his one much the same as Salin had but Noran would never know that. Everyone had to watch as the two would pretend like nothing would change when they reached the city and then the day it happened they watch Darlins shoulders slump the entire ride where Noran seemed to refuse to pay even and inkling of attention to the man. It was all so sudden, though they had plenty of time to truly separate, Dalin wasn't sure if even given years they would be able to part from each other.

When they found the hounds though Darlin was more than happy to dismount his horse and join the male on the ground. I was a bit jarring to see several hounds suddenly running at Noran and ell the elves acted instinctively to reach for their weapons but once they noticed the actual size of the dogs Darlin waved them all to calm. The elves did calm down, a two others dismounting, they were not the largest group but they were big enough to make and impression as they all stood there watching the scene. A few of them approached the dogs, slowly, and let them sniff them before getting the attention of several others after they were deemed safe. When the big man in charge of the hounds came forward Darlin stopped for a breath then looked back at Salin who was staring at him as well. The words were lost on the red head completely, his focus on the wolf, until the man started meandering towards him.

The horses neighed as each on was passed and Salin just stared at the man, tilting his head slightly to the side, he seemingly ignored the man. He whipped his hand out and grabbed the others chin, looking him over and staring him in the eyes, before he released and dismounted his horse in and elegant sweep. He stared up at the man, lowering his hood, he took off the riding cloves he had. Salin stared down at his fingers for a moment, flexing them after so long of having them closed, then without warning slapped the other male. He stared at Gregory, waiting for the man to meet his eyes again, before he slid his glove back on.

"I am not a whore…. And you are not what you seem so when you feel as if you can approach me in the appropriate way then I will be more than happy to CONSIDER your off but you should know better." Salin pulled himself back up on his horse, a grin on his face, before leaning down and patting the cheek he had slapped. "If you want something, even an elf, you have to take it. What kind of Alpha are you if you have to ASK." Salin said it just low enough so Noran couldn’t hear, receiving a few chuckles from the others. Salin loved playing with fire, he had done so often with his mate, and now that the man was back Salin just KNEW that the wolf would be more than happy to be tested.

"Anyway I will be in the guest quarters… when you man up PERHAPS then we can see just how much it takes for those soft sheet to leave a bit of a burn." Darlin rolled his eyes before deciding that was enough and they needed to get back on track. "We need to meet with your father Noran, preferably now, we have much to discuss." The few others in the group nodded and those that had dismounted re-mounted their horses and waited for Noran to do what he needed and lead the way.

((I like the thing you did.))  

[knux33]

Killer_Kiwi_XD

Balrak came out of his ponderings as Aerion approached him, tilting his head when the elf grabbed his hand and asked his question. "No, I have not ... has something funny happened?" the dragon said curiously and wearily. The elf prince's mood swings were not exactly enjoyable and Balrak did not want to make the golden haired elf upset accidentally ... again, for what felt like the dozenth time. But no; something quite interesting had happened, it seemed. Yellow eyes widening, Balrak stared Aerion in the eye as he felt the little squirming of a very lively little spark in the other's stomach. Yes, elves did not lay eggs, they had writhing living young ... a little wyrm and/or elfling creature was now sitting like a yoke inside his golden haired treasure.

"Funny indeed. Though, considering how amazing I am, not entirely impossible," the dragon went on, never one to miss a chance to brag. "I am, after all, the grandest of grand beings. Surely for me nothing is impossible, should I get around to wanting to do it. And this is something I've already done many times; managing to do so with an elf is simply prove my ability to sire is ... more than amazing." Grinning like a man entirely too proud of his d**k, Balrak knelt down and pressed an ear against Aerion's stomach as well for a few quiet moments ... before he started thrumming. It was a low, deep sound that vibrated against the elf's skin and even shook deeper, somehow slowing and soothing the eager dancing the little life was doing inside of the prince. Balrak had never seen any of his own young, but to the dragon this instinct simply felt like the correct thing to do. It wouldn't be good for an eager youngling to crack it's shell too early. Especially considering this 'shell' was a very precious treasure to the ancient beast.

Once the unborn was soothed for the time being, Balrak stood back up and embraced his elf, chuckling and seeming not at all abashed by this 'natural' turn of events. "And here I thought you were just getting fat."

*

Gregory's grin remained plastered on his face as he only just managed to restrain himself from licking his lips as the elf he'd sauntered up to moved so gracefully off of the horse. The stranger's scent alone was so full in his nose it rattled his brain and grabbed him by the balls; oh this was The One. The werewolf had known it the second he'd caught whiff of the group as the hounds started yowling. He'd learned a reasonable deal about restraint living as a wild thing surrounded by folks who would ... well, likely burn him at the stake if they knew what he really was. But all of that was nearly out the window; he wanted to grab the elf with that blood-red hair and ******** him on the road-dirt right then and there so every damned passerby could see just how taken the elf was.

Of course it was in the middle of that lewd daydream the elf smacked him a good one; damn, hot and not some fragile waif either! Hot damn! Face stinging (but not at all deterred) Gregory turned his eyes hot and wanting to show the elf he was in charge and going to be the lawmaker between the two of them (rebuked or not it seemed a given in his soul they were going to be together; anything else was simply not an option). The werewolf wanted to rip the elf right back off of the horse when Salin leaned down and gave him a pat along with a challenge that had the wolfish grin right back on the houndmaster's face as quick as a wolf on a lamb.

"I'm going to ******** you so hard you'll be sitting sideways afterwards," the werewolf growled in a low promising croon; also low enough so the madly-blushing blond prince couldn't hear over his embarrassed groans."If ya can manage ta sit at all~"

Nor was more than happy for Darlin's words to break the scene up, thinking Gregory having been thoroughly rebuked for his coarseness and marched over to drag the Houndmaster away from the cluster of elves and their horses. "Uncle Greg I'm never letting you meet any of my friends ever again," the prince grumbled; and not for the first time.

"How many times I got ta tell ya you can't hog all the pretty ones just 'cause your brother's tightly betrothed and you're still free enough to flutter around as you please?" Gregory said back with a big laugh, waving good-bye just to Salin before barking out in commanding shouts at the milling dogs and soon getting the pack back into the woods and out of sight. Once there he shifted forms and ran at the head of the group of hounds all the way back close towards the city. Gregory knew the hunting schedule better than the back of his hand; there was no one around to see the frighteningly massive wolf leading the hounds back home fast enough to beat Noran and his group. Gregory still had the scent of Salin thick in his nose and was sorely tempted to turn around the whole way, but kept strong. Patience. Patience would lead to a successful hunt; that was what he kept telling himself even as his heart throbbed and hackles raised at being away from The One without getting to have claimed him 'officially' yet.

Patience; he would put the dogs in their place and somehow keep himself occupied until the elves arrived and he would have his chance to properly chase down the prey he wanted most. Well ... he grinned to himself as he got his clothes back on once in human form again, cheek now better. At least the hunt for this one promises to be quite the run.

Noran on his end got back up on his horse and looked apologetically over his shoulder at Salin. "Sorry for that. Gregory is ... as much a hounddog as his charges," the prince finished with a sigh, eyes turning towards Darlin before shooting forward instead, remembering now was the time for him to act like a prince again. A prince who was very likely going to get auctioned-off as good marriage goods to some princess he'd never met before. "Once we get through the city's outer layers it shouldn't take long to get an audience with my father. Kigen's managed most of the kingly duties for him for a while now, so Da--The King will likely be free," Nor quickly corrected himself and cleared his throat, sitting up straight on his stallion's back once he'd freed his horse and too lead point of the group heading into the city, knowing the guards would be much less likely to stop a prince than a seemingly random group of elves, so the blond wanted to be up front and fully visible ... and in a spot where he couldn't see Darlin out of the corner of his eye so easily.

Once they hit the city ... Noran felt like the leader of a gypsy troupe, that was how many ogling eyes the procession brought. And less-than-friendly looks as well. But Noran kept their horses pace at a quick trot, giving a commanding shout forward for folks to get out of his way. Usually he liked to be more polite, but he wouldn't put it above some of the less cultured folks in the outer rings of the city to start throwing things. And as the guards quickly opened the gates to the inner noble district he was able to get the horses going faster since the streets were far more clear. Soon, they were riding into the castle courtyard, but even at that pace it seemed news of his coming had beat him there.

Guards of all sorts were causally at the ready in the King's Courtyard ... along with a man standing waiting for the riders to come up, eyebrow raised. His hair was a lighter shade than Noran's, nearly white. It made him look older than he was, along with the stern look of authority that seemed at home on his cleanshaven face and tall build. He was taller, but not thicker than Noran. Though he had a solid build and stance, even when standing casually, that suggested Nor would have his a** handed to him in a fight against the man before them. He had a single braid of hair that was let to grow a quarter of a foot long while the rest of his hair was as clean and cropped as a warhorse's.

"Nor."

"Kigen; glad to see you. Is Dad around? We need an audience," Noran said simply enough, gesturing towards his company. But Kigen's auburn eyes were as flat and ungiving as the dusty road they'd ridden to get there.

"I thought from the letter you'd sent us we'd heard the last word from what the elves were willing to give; unless they're here to actually help and fight."

Nor blinked, looking confused as he dismounted his horse and stared slightly up at his brother then. Okay, maybe not the best idea to loose the higher ground but he'd look stupid mounting right back up. Besides, what was his brother talking about? "... Fight? Kigen, that'd be suicide. Like I wrote, it's be as bad as kicking a bee's nest when the bees are as big as elephants and as smart as you are. And can breathe fire. This isn't a beast we can go out and slay--"

"We can. Slay it," Kigen replied simply with the know-it-all tone of a brother who took a bit of satisfaction in setting his younger brother straight. It was a kind of satisfaction he could only get with Nor because Zimmen was such know-it-all. "Zimmen's hit gold, so to speak. He found the dragon slayers, and they're going to help us slay the dragon. So unless your friends want to do the same, I'd suggest they just accept some hospitality without asking for a pointless audience."  

[Killer_Kiwi_XD]

knux33

Darlin hated this back and forth with Nor, this seeming need for him to look that he refused, it grated on every nerve that the man still had left. Though as they mounted no one seemed to have any question for the actions between Salin and Gregory. It was not odd to see the red head interact in such a way with someone but only one person and it was clear enough to the traveling group of elves just who this person was. Darlin was silent in reply, only nodding, before urging his horse forward with the rest as they made their way into the city. Darlin had grown used to stares long ago, he was an outcast among even the elvin city he lived in, but it was so strange to see so many foul looks and hate purely because he was an elf. All his men had their hoods up, you couldn’t see their ears, but their make of clothing and armor was just too easy to discern.

The others that followed were silent, heads down, very used to this nonesense as well. It took time to get through the streets, time that allowed their coming to be noticed and would make getting to the king harder, Darlin couldn’t help but feel frustrated by all of this. He didn't let it show on his face though, some people were just curious, a few young girls just wanted to see the prince and the horses, Darlin and the other elves slipped them a few coins and gestured it was a secret. The young girls were happy, They would most likely show it to their parents, it wasn't enough to arouse suspicion either and it was all currency they may have jipped off Nor a few times when he was being a butt head.

By the time they made it into the inner city they were moving a little faster, people were not as interested, and the band of merry men were not quite so displeased. The rode hard and fast to try and reach the court yard before the news but as they entered it was apparent enough that their efforts were most in vain. Darlin and his party stayed on their horses, watching the guard around them, while listening to this Kigen speak. Darlin looked over his shoulder at the other elves, amusement on their faces at the mention of the toy wielding slayers they had met time and time before, before he dismounted his own horse and approached.

"If I cannot speak to him because you have found a flimsy and broken solution to this dragon problem then may I speak to him as one king to another in manner of an aliance between not just my city but that of the other ambassadors I have with me?" Darlin motioned back to the others behind him and one of each "color" slowly got off their horse. A young boy stepped up and then pulled off their hood to reveal a strikingly female face with almost crystal white hair. There were five in total, Salin one of them, and they all held letters in their hands.

These were letters they had received over their ride to the city, to and from their homes when they seemed to be doing nothing, Darlin even held his own.

"I would like to speak to the king about this, there is a great deal we can offer each other, but also… we may have information that there is a force greater than a lumbering dragon that will soon be baring down across the land." Darlin wondered if Nor even remembered who he traveled with. That all these men, and one woman, were princes to other kingdoms. Elf kingdoms in far off lands, though a few were so far off they had yet to hear from their family such as Shavit, a darkly tanned young man who looked like the deserts his people came from, and though Leanna stood with them she had yet to hear word. Her home was so far into snow it was ice, crystalline, she often hid herself well but this day she had unbound herself and let her features god un hidden. Her eyes were almost an abnormal clear blue and she was pale white.

Shavit at the back, who still stayed on his horse, dismounted with a huff at her approach and joined the group. The contrast he made next to her was clear. He was like warmth, clearly more trained for living in the wilds than the others, his sand blond hair was tied in two blades and though his clothing matched the others he seemed much more willing to wear what humans did by the leather belt around his waist. His brown eyes were careful to watch the guards and not Kigen.

**

Aerion was surprised by the other males sudden reaction of… joy. Joy was not what he was expecting, it was the opposite of what he was expecting, the dragon only tolerated Aerion because he was a treasure at times…. What would he do with a tiny little…. What EVER running around and causing trouble. Did the dragon even realize that this wasn't a baby dragon? This was something else? This was going to take raising and it was going to grow INSIDE Aerion and in some god forsaken way they were going to have to GET IT OUT. Aerion wasn't as calm about this, he couldn’t be, he was calm about so many things but he couldn’t be calm about this.

When the other started making that odd noise against his stomach though and the… babie calmed down Aerion took a moment to take a few deep breaths. There wasn't anything they could do, and Balrak just thought he was so amazing, though as the other stood and said he thought he was just getting fat… Aerion hit the dragon where he knew it would hurt. "And he's fault is that oh great Balrak? If you don’t really you just inadvertently ruined one of your precious treasures because you had to go and…. SIRE some young." Aerion growled out, moving away from the dragon.

"Do you have any idea at all what this means you great oaf of a lizard? This isn't going to be a baby dragon Balrak, this thing isn't going to just fly away in a years time, if you are LUCKY it will have the growth span of a human and if you are unlucky then it will grow eternally slow like an elvish child does after they turn five. And that's five years Balrak… then after that it's at least fifty before they mature to adulthood and with a half breed you never know if they actually will." Aerion didn't know what to think about this but something inside of him was…scared. He was scared because Balrak had threatened to burn someone who had gotten LOST what would he do if this child over stayed it's welcome in his mind? Aerion was sure what to think of this situation yet but he knew that he didn't want that.

(I gaveth you a choice. The girl or the boy that their can be interest in.)  

[knux33]

Killer_Kiwi_XD

Between the two brothers, it was Nor who looked surprised when Darlin came forward with an alternate means to speak to the king, and the letters. Especially Darlin's letter, because the last time Nor had heard it seemed most of Darlin's kingdom, if not all, had been ... well, destroyed.

The elder brother didn't so much as twitch, or frown at the description of the dragonslayer's as 'flimsy'. He trusted his annoying middle brother far more than strange elves; and Zimmen had described a city built of dragon bone, of knowledge sure to be of use. But Kigen had spent many years in the city guard and outland soldier patrols; he'd learned patience and a certain healthy willingness to bend in that time, along with an instinct of when it was good to be as hard as iron on subjects or mobile as stream. And as far as alliances went, it was always better to have friends than make unnecessary enemies.

"Then you shall. The King always has time to speak with ambassadors. The audience chamber will be ready within the hour; unless you all wish to wait outside I suggest you all follow Verrick to your guest chambers and get your things settled before you are summoned. Noran, with me." With that, Kigen took his youngest brother by the armored arm and dragged him off, guards still watchful but suddenly far outnumbered by custodians and stablehands who were ready to lead the horses away and grab the baggage to bring to the guest's wing of the castle.

Verrick was a plain sort of man, tall and reedy but with dark blue eyes as sharp and observant as a whiplash. He had looked and measured the elven guests quickly, eyes lingering on Shavit as if sensing some sort of posible-incoming trouble from him, before the man approached Darlin with a bow and raised, one long arm gesturing towards a wide side door. His hair was a timber brown, with cream creeping at his temples, as if he was going white long before he should from the rigors of the job. Despite that he seemed lively, capable, and calm as any good help should be, a cultured man without a button out of place in his sharply-cut black-and-blue uniform.

"Please, this way. If you like there are servants to help you all unpack, and warm food of all kinds to be ordered from the kitchens if any of you need food or drink after your long journey with Prince Noran." The brown haired man led the way even as he spoke, wasting no time and having a feeling these guests did not wish to waste any either. Generally, Verrick was very good at accommodating guests of all sorts before they even voiced what they wished to have, though even his instincts could be wrong sometimes. He led them on though, step brisk and eyes not once wandering towards the guests, their ears, or even the fine art, paintings, tapestries, and regal rugs covering the innards of the familiar stone halls. The roof was high, and light spread by a large collection of candles and torches within, carefully placed to have no hope of lighting fire to anything but cold stone even as Verrick led the group up a set of stairs to the second floor; the entire castle a maze of unique decorations that only slightly verried from hall to hall.

Verrick led the elves to a hallway all their own, welcoming them with another gesture of his hand. "Your rooms are yours to choose within this hall. I'm afraid some of you will have to double up; I hope this is no incontinence. If so, I will see which other rooms are open at this moment elsewhere in the castle," he said crisply, though as the elves would soon see each guest room had it's own bath, and massive bedroom plus couches with more than enough space for four of them per room if they's wanted to group-up.

((Eeeee, I loved 'em both so much I had to make a cultured city man to contrast Shavit while Kigen will get the lady. The poor old man King needs at least one son to have a genuine certainty of siring heirs, halfbloods or not x'D Feel free to add to the descriptions of the castle however you wish~))

*

Kigen was rolling his eyes at his brother as they both walked the halls after having gone right to their father's wing of the castle and informed the man (and filled-in Noran) on everything so the royal family was all on the same page. Though something Noran had come clean about had Kigen highly annoyied and amused at his younger brother. "You're not sure? How on earth--after months of traveling with them all--can you be 'not sure'?!"

"They're elves, you saw them! They're all ... uh... pretty," Nor finished lamely, also not wanting to admit that he'd pretty much only had eyes for Darlin most of the trip.

"You're a man grown and you can't even tell whether you're looking a man or women in the face. Of Nor, poor little pup of labramor--"

"Oh shut up. You probably can't tell either," the cream-haired brother huffed and gave Kigen a little shove, not doing much considering they were both still in full armor, though Kigen at least had a lot of mobility built into his; which he used to his advantage to give his younger and 'softer' brother a well-deserved noogey.

"Ah-hem," Verrick coughed ever-so-lightly behind the two men, making both brothers nearly jump out of their skins. The tall, lanky man (some swore) had to be part goul or spider or something; he was always so quiet and could sneak up on anyone in the castle. "The King will be ready for the guests in just a few moments. Food will be laid out for the guests; meatless?"

"No-no ... they're fine with meat," Noran managed to stutter out, straightening himself as Kigen did the same only with more dignity and a smile.

"Verri Verri quiet, Verrick."

"I will let the cooks know," the man said simply, tall enough to look Kigen in the eyes but not nearly as wide as the crown prince was. He gave a bow, and was off at his usual brisk pace, long legs eating up the distance with grace and an odd illusion of slowness until one noticed how fast he was going.

"I swear Dad's got a boogeyman as the castle steward and a hounddog as his hounds master," Nor grumbled, to which Kigen just gave his little brother another noogie.

Soon enough, the King and both sons were sitting and waiting in what seemed to be a warm, enclosed variation of a dinning room, with a long table and food laid out. But only enough food to snack on in neat little trays at the center line of the table, with more than enough room for papers to be laid out and read.

*

Balrak jerked at the hit he got, a low hiss escaping before he glared at the elf, ire his first reaction. "Says the elf who would rather fornicate with any low worm even resembling my greatnessss; I am not the one who suddenly decided he would act more a b***h in heat than princccce," eyes narrowed and hot with a fire he, fortunately, could not breath in this form. And as Aerion moved away that only seemed to irk him further. "It takes two to create. Even you cannot deny that. Lay the blame for this unpredictable turn of fortune at my feet at your own peril."

Returning to where he'd been sitting and sunning the dragon stretched himself out, pondering what Aerion had said before giving a careless shrug. "I am not a drakling with no patience, elf. I have patience. And a five-year-old elven-thing child ... even then, it would be a simple enough matter for others to have it once it is that grown, is it not? Is your race not already known for it's many sirings of half-bloods that one more adopted in would not be celebrated?"  

[Killer_Kiwi_XD]

knux33

((*exhausted laughter* 5 in the morning, havent slept, five pages long..... enjoy PLEASE))

Over his many years Darlin had gotten very good at reading people, in fact it was a gift of his, which was why the others had vouched so greatly for him to be the one to speak for them. He could read Kigen, though the man was just as hard as his armor, there were chinks that let Darlin through enough to see the mild amount of distrust. Darlin refused to let it get to him, the bitter thoughts about how such a boy was challenging his opinion on such things as the dragons slayers biting at the back of his mind, before he gave a simple nod. He looked to the others at his side as if they would actually wish to stay outside and he was taking in their opinion, though Darlin would not put it past Shavit who was already opening his mouth in protest to being cooped up inside walls where it could possibly be cold, before Darlin took the majority vote in hand.

"Inside would be just fine." Though he tried to keep a serious and nuetral tone, as if the questions was being answered seriously and had been asked seriously, there was a bit that Darlin could not hold back. His sarcasm tended to be a bit bitter, then again that had run in his family, though when people started to swarm his people grew nervous. The few bonded latched onto each other, the set of twins doing much the same, and those left in the group of singles bonded together and kept what they could on them as they dismounted their horses. The troden beasts were taken away, their hooves stomping along the stone path almost laboriously, it was as if the horses had assumed they had already reached a resting point and were now exhausted by the mere thought of having to move elsewhere.

Then again the elves were much the same way as this new face stepped but with a kind of grace they had rarely seen. They were indeed curious by this sudden creature standing before them and then gesturing to lead the way, the twins joined at the hand watching him closely and even pushing through to get a better look, if Darlin had never seen them fight or ride he would have assumed they really were conjoined. As they walked Darlin took the time to actually look around but his attention was always so quickly diverted that he was unable to really catch a good look of anything. He saw the general of everything but as they all slowly climbed the stairs he took notice that he would have truly walk through and see everything later, draw it out, remember it…. Perhaps he could catch Noran off guard and draw him down a hall, when the other stood still long enough for Darlin to remember, their eyes wouldn’t meet but Darlin could keep that stored away.

The sound of crashing waved in his ears nearly sent Darlin tumbling back down the stairs, his stumble not going unnoticed by those around him, Shavit was the closest to reach out a hand and stable him but there was a gathered look of concern that was more… pressing than the need for help. They didn't stop moving, they were good about that, the group have before gone stumbling and bleeding through the forest without ever stopping in stride or revealing they were as weak as they were, but this was not battle and as Darlin pressed a had lightly to his temple with a delicate smile he knew that there was no way a soul present would believe that he was okay.

Their attention was thankfully diverted from the raven haired male though as they reached their rooms, Shavit staying beside Darlin, and Salin beside him, as the others wandered off to pick a room. They seemingly kept the one closest to the stairs completely vacant, even though that would leave three to room in the last room, Darlin knew very well that they had left it for him. Shavit nodded to Verrick, watching the other carefully, he wasn't so much suspicious of the other as he just greatly enjoyed the curves that the others outfit revealed. They had all dealt with much more venomous foe than such as… well whatever this man might be.

"Do not worry Verrick. A few of us are already "paired up" so to speak." Darlin chuckled though Salin kept a straight face and Shavit just looked like a cat sizing up it's next hunt.

As Verrick left Darlin could hear the oohs and ahhs, a few clicks of locks and then dead silence, before he was shuffling into his room with Shavit, Salin, and most likely would be joined be Leanna soon. Shavit lounged near the window, the others quickly joining him, Darlin sitting down with a small sigh and completely normal again. They both stared at him, waiting for an answer, before he finally looked out the window. He leaned against the back of the couch, chin resting on his arms that were propped there, watching the sun as it blazed.

"Do you two know why the sky is blue?" Shavit was silent, as was Salin, they didn't want the subject to be dodged around but it seemed that Darlin would continue without a reply. "People make up stories so often about why the moon is the moon, about where dragons came from, about the magic of the earth and sun… so few people have ever asked why the sky is blue." Darlin smiled. "I heard a story once though… the sky is blue just like the ocean because they are so far away from each other." Darlin chuckled at the confused looks. "The story goes that a long time ago the sky and the ocean were close enough that all the ocean would have to do was reach out and he could touch his sky. She brought joy to him, made his waves crash on the shore or ebb to nothing, but because they were so close the world was mostly water." Darling heard the door open and the swishing of fabric before Leanna was sitting down beside Salin with a curious look on her face. He whispered in her ear and then she nodded and waited for Darlin to continue.

"There was so little life on land, and so little land, and that made the sky sad so the ocean moved away from her just a little. He had to reach a little further but he was still happy, just as yellow as the bright sun, and his sky was happy as well. But then the sky was so close that all the animals could breathe and so the sky had to move away. It was so very hard for the ocean to reach her but if he tried he could, though it hurt the creatures in his depths a great deal, his color slowly started turning almost green with sadness and the sky followed with her own depression. Father sun watched all of this from above, the way the two yearned for each other, but most he saw how they had created so much life but hurt it all with their selfishness. He grew angry, it should be enough to just be close, and so…. He pulled them apart. He grabbed and he pushed, ripped, until they could have never hoped to touch each other again and they were no longer close. So far away was the sky she could not feel the spray of the ocean, so far away was the ocean that he could no longer see the stars in hurt when father sun was bright." Darlin stared at the window.

"They both turned blue, and at night they are their blues, because the ocean tries to rise to greet his love but he cannot touch her. Sometimes she would weep, and water would fall to touch the ocean, just because it was the only thing they had besides gazing at each other from afar." Darlin Heard some shifting from his side, Salin leaning forward with a knowing gaze. "I used to wonder what the ocean sounded like, roaring out for his love…. I do not have to wonder anymore." Salin, leaning forward on his knees, let his head drop. Shavit sat up with wide eyes and Leanna simply reached out to grab Darlins hand. Darlin looked out the window.

"I blame myself… I fell in love with a mortal I cannot have, my life is tied to his, and somehow I… I don't know when but I gave up this place if he died and I could not have him." Darlin pulled away from Leanna with a mournful look, standing and trying not to look to down trodden. Leanna looked up at Darlin "You could always ask for him in the negotiations." Darlin stilled before shaking his head. "I couldn’t do that to him, or the king, knowing the slayers they already took one of his sons now he only has two left what if Noran's eldest brother dies?" Leanna stood, brushing herself off, she was now were a very formal elven gown. "I have heard him talk before of being sold off to the highest bidder… be the highest bidder. Reveal secrets, win the alliance, take him as yours. He'll go from a prince to a king and I assure you his father would not object. Darlin I have observed you two together, seen the way you watched him, and he in turn you. One day he will be given a bride or be given TOO a bride. Cancle that out or let your ocean be pulled away from you." Darlin was surprised by Leanna, she was usually so silent, but he knew what the alliance met for everyone involved and she knew that the king would be no fool to object.

A few moments later they were being gathered to meet with the king, down more halls that Darlin had not time to look down, but Darlin did not take his whole group with him. There were just the ambassadors to their kingdoms and he himself. He walked into the large warm room and when he saw the food he was a bit… surprised. Customs were different among humans Darlin remembered, this must have been one of them, and of course they all carefully took their seats. Greetings were had, moat of Darlins group silent, though Darlin did notice that Shavit was following Verrick with his eyes like a cat with a fly.

"I want to apologize for the small group many of the others were indisposed-" There was a scoff from a grumpy brunette, who had been indisposed with his lovely partner bent over the bed, but Darlin gave him a look that said more of 'really? Keep it in your pants.' Than it was to discipline the man. "And others…" Darlin was quick to cast Noran a knowing look, the man by now had good knowledge of how the twins were. It took a few moments of silence before Darlin looked around and sighed.

"I can't do this sitting down." He stood, most of his composure gone in a moment, and he went from being regal and kingly to the soldier he was known as. All be it still regal, still a bit kingly, but he was used to battle plans and not discussions that were civil. "We are looking for an alliance between our six kingdoms with yours for good reason…. You have no need to worry about your dragon anymore." Darlin pulled out some documents. "I am under good authority that the dragon is, for the time being and a long while, not a serious threat and instead a much larger one is on the horizon that is calling for elves to do as we have never done and align ourselves with humans." Darlin pulled out a map. He largely ignored Noran.

"I admit to this now but while riding in our company we kept a great many things from your son for we did not want to involve your race if we did not have to. But the correspondence I have received have been seen by your son on several occasions if never having been discussed so there is no case of lying here. I would like to explain everything quickly." Salin was leaning across the table to look at the map like an over excited child, the elves having suddenly dissolved into something much less regal and much more who they were… something that could be trusted.

"A few months back I learned of an attack on my kingdom that killed my entire family. I had feared I was the last survivor of my kingdom but many more than I could have ever thought survived and take refuge in villages, human ones, and seem to be faring well. At first I had thought it a simple attack until I had spoke to someone who had seen the bodies… They had all been killed in their sleep. To kill and elf in their sleep you must be an elf because only elves know how to get around the one crucial fact that elves sleep with their eyes open… Current party excluded due to…. Circumstances." Their kingdom had robbed them of a great many things.

"This is to mean that elves not only attacked one of the most well hidden of our kingdoms but they did so in the dead of night and SLAUGHTERED hundreds. I might have forgiven that, perhaps, I might have thought it nothing if I had not found elven jewelry from out largest kingdom being sold by the same woman who said she could it on a dead elf in the dead kingdom. This is to mean the largest elven city in this region is wiping out kingdoms." Pointed to where his kingdom was on the map and the x through it… though there were many other x's across the entire map. "You may be wondering why this concerns you… It is because this mad king is slaughtering everyone. He sends troops out, tells them to go at random, and they leave and kill indiscriminately. Small villages mean nothing but they have burned cities like yours to the ground…. There are never survivors or those that do live are to scared to speak." Darlin rolled up the map.

"We would like an alliance because right now there is NOTHING stopping this mad man from coming and killing every last one of you, and us, and meanwhile you are amassing an army to go fight a dragon and die when there very well could be one coming to kill you now." Leanna sighed. "We were not supposed to know about that." Darlin looked at her "But that's what the slayers always ask for. They make a big loud bang, send people to be eaten, then run in and save the day. Also the dragon they currently live in was fat and slow, ate to many dwarves, small but high in fat." Leanna motioned back to the king and the others and Darlin turned his attention back around. "I apologize if this isn't the normal custom, I am used to battle meetings, this is much different." Then again he was a king. He could probably be as eccentric as he wanted….

**

Aerion to the other at the mention of adoption then shook his head. "So you do want your child to die?" It wasn't a serious question but he grabbed the closest thing he could that was sharp and held it to his stomach. Then with a very serious face he said nonchalantly "Because I can do that now. Or do you forget how much terror you alone have brought on the world as a dragon Balrak? As a dragon you alone since you have awoken burned and entire village to the ground. What exactly do you imagine will have to a child, a half breed, that is both elf and dragon? Elves will not want it. Humans with not want it. Dwarves, hobbits, orcs and goblins, merpeople you name it they will kill it on sight Balrak." Aerion was much calmer now, though he realized he was holding a dagger to his stomach.

"There is not a single race out there that will take a dragon halfling such as this Balrak, don't even think of wolves because the majority of them eat their OWN young let alone that of another. This is not something you can escape in just five years, not something that will age quickly, and as much as you would like to say this was me Balrak… I admit to being a horny b***h as you so HELPFULLY put it but YOU must not forget that YOU are the one with magic. I have none, I am a normal elf, the greatest thing about me is my long life. This is not my doing beside bending over for you at any hour of the day or night." There was a great deal of bitterness in that statement and Aerion was now wondering how long he could starve the dragon of the sex he wanted as well before he went mad because he wasn't about to be willing any time soon after this conversation.

"By the way if you were so disgusted with my bed hobbits you should have told me before hand…. Though you seem to like them just fine when they suite you OH great and POWERFUL Balrak!" Aerion didn't even care anymore about upsetting the dragon more, he was feeling rather wounded by those comments, and being in this damn city without the hormones was always hard but now? Now he was tipping. His hands were shaking dangerously, the blade resting against his skin, he didn't plan to do anything but the fighting had him quivering like a scared child. Balraks words just reminded him of something else, someone else, muttering the word "whore" over and over again. Aerion seethed with fury at the very mention, pitched himself forward to waver harder, because anger was a catalyst for so many things.  

[knux33]

Killer_Kiwi_XD

((GREATLY enjoyed! <3 ))

Verrick watched the proceedings as quietly as a shadow, and with just as much comment. It was his job to simply remove empty dishes and hand them off to servants quietly lined up on the side wall. He watched the King as he got settled, the old man really beginning to not only show his age through his wrinkles and snow-white hair. Years of battle and strenuous kingship now backfired in the form of slow, possibly-painful bending as the older man sat down in his own, discreetly padded seat at the head of the table. Verrick made note to make sure the servants had a full tub of hot and ready water for the king once this audience was over; King Harris had more than earned something to sooth the aches of old age in his time serving the country.

Verrick's eyes flicked to the boys(he would likely never see the grown men as anything else than the troublesome brothers they had always been in these halls), one naive as always and the other all business as the elves arrived. The tall male was used to being the proverbial fly on a wall during meetings, privy to secrets and truths most men would never get to see of royalty and other important figures. But from the beginning this meeting was not exactly like most Verrick had seen in his life. For one thing … he was looked at. As he shifted and moved to adjust curtains along the windows to let in more light, he felt eyes on him, watching him. Eyes from a source of trouble, he could feel it. Verrick never looked directly Shavit's way, but he knew the elf's look extremely well already. The young-looking elf (Verrick knew better than to assume any immortal was half so young as they looked) was quite the exotic little thing, though that could be said of any of the elven party. But to Verric the little trouble-brewer looked even more so with his light hair and sun-kissed skin, clearly from some far-away climate where shade and shelter did little to keep the sun's embrace at bay. The lanky man nearly shuddered just thinking about it; ugh. It was hard enough tolerating the sunlight coming in through the windows, and any chore that required going out of the castle he usually left to any of his many little footmen and other servants around the castle. As the steward he had the right to never need to leave his place of work beyond the most dire of situations, which meant he had plenty of time in the glorious shade of the solid stone castle.

This stranger from some land of sun stared at him, a servant meant to blend and be invisible when not needed, far too intently, too brightly. Verrick worked quickly and as gracefully as ever, setting himself on ignoring the trouble in favor of doing his job to the fullest extent to his abilities as always. Besides, the meeting was taking quite the fascinating turn, with Darlin standing up and making things lively, the King listening with the utmost seriousness and attention, old eyes as sharp as they had been when Harris had been Kigen's age and on the eve of a battle. All the elves so obviously getting into this more clean-cut no-nonsense sort of meeting seemed to almost have an edge of a smile on the old man's lips, while the crown prince still seemed guarded. Noran, of course was surprised at the new information while … also hurt? Glancing the dark-haired elves way with an almost longing? Oh, no, more trouble, Verrick could feel it in his long, solid bones like an divining rod finding water. But hadn't Nor been working very hard not to look Darlin's way not an hour earlier when they'd arrived? Noran had always been one with a very poor self-discipline, and never able to hold out when it came to staying strict about anything. And clearly when snubbed himself, despite all the other important stuff going on, was something the softhearted 'little' prince couldn't handle.

“We have noticed silence from a few old allies and rumors flying of capital cities burned to ruin,” the King said gravely, one hand reaching out to touch one red X on the map with a hard frown. “We laid blame for these happenings at the wyrm's coming. Clearly, we were wrong to leap to such conclusions.” He smiled a little at Darlin's apology though, while Kigen was clearly willing to be more than a little skeptical of some army of elves following a mad king apparently set on destroying every big settlement without a single man seeing a single pointed ear nearby.

“Oh, it is no worry. We have no customs for elf visitors; that gives us a great excuse to simply ignore the tired old human ones,” the King said with a tired chuckle that spoke of many, boring, dragging, nagging meetings where nothing was spoken of except whether the summer rain would come in flood or drought. “And I imagine Nor was more than informal enough to let slip about our army. To be frank I wouldn't be surprised if this mad elf you speak of will know as well; we have not exactly been discreet, seeing as a dragon does not have many trade partners to let news of such happenings come to him,” Harris said with a tinge more misgiving. He'd seen a war of armies with even numbers and knowledge of one another. It was a bloody, costly affair where he'd lost one of his own siblings; a sister who'd taken up the mantle of healer and had gone on the field to see and treat wounded in the thick of battle where every little second meant the difference between a man bled-out or living by the end of things. There was no knowing how many lives she'd managed to save, though Harris would always remember the loss.

But they would have an advantage in these elven allies.

“I see no reason for any of this to be a lie. Events we've seen so far and what you say ring true together. And seeing as I have no wish for this land my forefathers have fought so hard for to become nothing more than a ruin to fade into memory, let us speak plainly. I have my army, you have yours and we currently have a similar enemy. Let us speak of what is needed to cement peace between our peoples for the duration of war, at least, and hopefully even longer.” King Harris sat up straighter, looking straight at Darlin.

“You have delt with the slayers before, and your kind know of dragons more than any other race can possibly boast. I wish for you to help me and my people relocate this 'Balrak' as soon as this war is settled. By death or any other means necessary. My people will not stand such a creature within our kingdom, especially not after its already burned down a village. Your council and advice on this matter would be a great boon, and I can only hope I can offer something of equal value for your people,” Harris said while both sons let their father take lead. He was, after all, still the King, and had more authority than any other in the whole kingdom.

*

Balrak growled and ran his hands through his hair, looking like he wanted to pull fistfuls out at Aerion's threatening pf gutting himself on the spot. The elf was treasure, precious precious treasure, he had to protect his treasure. But how did a poor old dragon get around to protecting a treasure from itself? And he did not understand the bitterness aimed at him for being himself and gratifying the elf's needs; especially not when, as he'd said, the elf seemedto want it so much. How had something they'd both been ejoying so much suddenly turned so sour?

"Finefinefine, it will stay. But if it grates upon me, you will have to settle for having it and it alone until it is grown,. Unless you would enjoy the sight of me eating it," the dragon got out flatly but truthfully. With a sigh he stood up, looking almost ... pleadingly over at the elf holding the rusted old dagger. "I am what I am, elf. Only that which is gold or treasure can stay in my domain; you know this well enough. If you must keep it when I cannot stand it ... I will sleep however long it will take it to grow so you do not have to see your young die. That is the best assurance I can give you, elf. So please ... put the knife down."

Balrak had inched forward, cautious. Wanting to get the knife away but also not wanting to spook Aerion into something stupid. The elf was not stupid, but right now he was clearly emotional, which could make anyone stupid.  

[Killer_Kiwi_XD]

knux33

Darlin was surprised when the king spoke and seemed so…ameable. H was expecting more the nature of Kigen who was sitting there without a hint of anything on his face though Darlin did not dare to look at Noran. Darlin waited for the king to finish before finally looking around and getting down to the true order of business. He sat back in his seat this tie, Salin sitting forward at this, he pulled out a list and then… a set of reading glasses. Noran had seen them many times and Darlin had simply forgotten long ago how rare it was for elves to need anything of the sort.

Then again the injury that Salin had received to his eyes when he was young was the only reason he needed to reading glasses. Time could heal a great many things but it could not repair completely destroyed tissue to it's fullest. Salin hummed for a moment, looking over the list, Shavit rolling his eyes a bit before the red head stood. "From what I see here we have a lot to offer you specifically because of your strategic point in the layout of where this mad man ma attack next." Salin squinted a bit at the paper with a bit of frustration scrunching his brow as it often did. Shavit leaned back to look at Darlin.

"Why are you having him read this damn thing you know he can hardly even see it." Darlin just raised an eyebrow but only a moment later Shavit was smacked firmly upside the head and Salin was gave him a side long look that told him to keep his mouth shut. There were a few snickers but beyond that tere were no other comments. "For your battle afterwards my kingdom can offer you as many soldiers as we have, some land close to here to expand afterwards, and funds. All that is asked for in return is the chance for opening a trade route and perhaps a marriage down the line…. To the king." Salin almost hung his head in shame, almost, because that man was nearly as old as the made king and he could just imagine some poor young human girl going to bare him halfbreed children.

"The rest of the list continues much the same. Shavits people would just like a nice place to travel through where they would be welcome, and it is not cold all the time, Leanna's are apparently looking to see if you have any gems of bright colors you would be willing to trade for their lighter ones and open a heavy trade for warm furs." The list continued much the same with the offers and exchange being more than reasonable but Salin finished before he reached Darlins requests and instead Darlin leaned forward with a serious quest. "I want sanctuary for my people for now. Where they stay… it is good but they cannot stay forever." Darlin sighed. "I do not have the grandest things to offer you, I cannot give you riches and men, A trade route with my people is not a possible thing when we do not have a home or a place, all I can offer you now is… My needs are the final dealing point." Darlin clasped his hands together.

"The reason we are so amiable is because should you fall through on my none of the kingdoms will help you. There is reason for this, we are not bitter, but my people cannot make the trek to the other kingdoms now. They will be spotted, they will be hunted, and they will be killed because the roads are being watched for them. I need this security for what I have left of my kingdom. Do not get me wrong, these are not small numbers, an those who can fight most likely will even if I were to tell them not to." Darlin was as straight faced as he could be. "When my kingdom is returned I myself will take you to where Balrak rest's because I have a good friend to retrieve from there as well. I ask for the safety of my people and we will give back what we can." Darlin went silent and all the elves looked to him as if waiting for him to say more.

Darlin went silent, looked to Noran, and then he just leaned back in his seat. Leanna, who had seemed so neutral through the entire event, stood so quickly her chair fell over and she grabbed Darlin. "Do not be a fool! If you will say nothing the others in here will stand and ask this request instead Darlin!" Darlin grabbed at her hand on his shirt, The clear years together between them being the only reason Darlin bit his tongue instead of lashing out. Darlin looked away, shame clear on his face and Leanna all but threw him back in his chair. She slammed her hands on the table and looked the king in the eyes. "Noran is the other condition. He is to be Darlins." Darlin stood to say something and Leanna turned on him. "I will not have you throw you life away to save him from what you or anyone else may consider an embarrassment!" Darlin gave her a hard look, things quickly dissolving between the two of them.

Darlin was straightening out, his chin rising, a look in his eyes saying much more than words could. When Leanna opened her mouth again Darlin simply tilted his head and she stilled all action, anger still burning but silent, when she sat Darlin turned to the king and with a tight smile bowed in apology. "I am sorry about her outburst. We have longer been soldiers than diplomats." Darlin felt Salin touch his wrist, all the energy just rushing out of him, and Salin was standing and catching Darlin just as he was falling completely unconscious with the ocean roaring so loudly in his ears. He had just thought it was his blood pumping… he had just thought.

He had not noticed after Leanna sat down that he started to waver, that his hands shook, how he went ghostly pale as if everything had been drained from him, but thankfully Salin at the very least haad and he was smart enough to rise to catch the male before he hit the ground. Leanna was completely blank again but there was a hint of remorse in her eyes. "This is what I mean. I apologize as well, he will be fine in a few moments, but what I am going to tell you should help sway your mind. I assure you most likely at least one kingdom will follow you even if you do that help Darlin but the reason we ask for this is because… Your son did not tell you the whole truth of their relationship while he was riding with us." Leanna had her hands folded neatly.

Salin had laid Darlin on the ground, Verrik being kind enough to help, and now was just waiting for Darlin to wake up. "What you see now is when one of our kind, usually older as Darlin is, that has found their bonded one and cannot… complete that connection. Salin is an example of and elf who is bonded-" the males hand rose from behind the table where he was with Darlin. "It's not different in any way but it is not like what you call marriage. Noran has some idea of what it is, what it means, and Darlin did a fantastic job of hiding what was going on with him. It is as simple as he is dying. Not in the sense that you do, elves do not wither and die, instead he will slowly lose him mind and then one day he will just walk into the sea." Leanna sighed heavily. "When bonded he will be better, his mind will be healed and he will be okay. Though I am sure Noran has felt the pull as well. These things are never one sided." Though Leanna did leave out the part where as long as Darlin was alive Noran would be reborn over and over again after he died.

**

Aerion looked to Balrak as he spoke, relieved, but at the same time still so very angry. He wasn't even angry at Balrak anymore, he didn't know why he was angry, and as the other started slowly approaching him Aerion didn't know what to do. He saw red, he wanted to hurt something, but as Balrak spoke again the rage started fading away and Aerion just stared as the dragon got closer and closer before he dropped the dagger and his shoulders slumped. "It's not just mine Balrak… This child is yours as well and not only that I do not want you to have to sleep for so long but… I can't stay here Balrak. I can't stay in this sick city anymore. You saw how I was away from it, how relieved I was, I feel suffocated here and it's not your gold…" Aerion crossed his arms over his stomach.

"You can't understand it. You won't even if I try to explain it to you Balrak but a long time ago someone one I can't remember hurt me so bad here, in that room covered it rotting blood, they hurt me bad and they hurt mr for a long time and that does things to PEOPLE. It's like… imagine if someone was to peel away your scales, one a day, every day for as long as you had them while you are too young to ruly fend them off… and as you grew bigger that scales feeling was all you knew so you thought it was right and then one day you remember you had scales and they were glorious and someone STOLE them from you and that someone as… someone you cared for more than a treasure, your greatest treasure, greater than anything you have right now or the one thing in your mound you couldn’t live without… That feeling was what you felt for that person but they had robbed you so adeptly of something important to you, even hurt you, and told you that it was right… that was how life was supposed to be. Just imagine all of that… that's what happened to me here but instead in my rage I stabbed that person over an over again as fire burned everywhere." Aerion gently thumped his fist on Balraks chest in a stabbing motion.

"Over and over" thump, thump " and over till the walls has splatter then I painted them that color. With my hands. Then I forgot it all and I still can't remember it all. I can't remember who, I can't remember exactly what, all I know is that I was hurt and it was like having my scales ripped off of me…" Aerion gently rest his hand against Balraks chest. "It gets in my head, like I am trying to remember, Balrak elves do not forget. Much the same as dragons we do not forget our long, long, lives but when something tragic happens we can but only when it is bad enough that it can ruin them if remembered. Or it has already ruined them…." Aerion sighed "I don't think I can handle that and now this… I can try but I don't know for how long.


((I do plan to have a nice long and lovely post describing the castle in the near future.))  

[knux33]

Killer_Kiwi_XD

Old King Harris simply sat back in his seat and listened as the ruby-haired elf stood and, surprisingly enough, pulled out some reading glasses. He kept a neutral face as the well-tanned elf spoke up about it and was rightfully given a little punishment for doing so, holding back chuckles. Though as the list was read, he gestured and within seconds Verrick was at his side with pen and paper, and also pulled out a small book that gave light outlinings of the kingdom's produce trade-wise in alphabetical order, along with small notes as to how many traders (and named which ones) delt in such things. Harris nodded as Salin went on, lightly frowning at the mention of potential marriage to an elf king. As the elves likely knew by now after their time with Nor, he had only three sons. A noblewoman with distant but clear blood ties to the crown could be found easily enough if the king of Salin's people did not wish to wait, though Harris was also sure Kigen would be married soon and begin having children of his own. To immortals waiting a generation may not be too hard a thing to do, though Harris hesitated to lay such a burden upon his son. That 'potential' deal would need much discussion if it really had to be done to assure alliance.

And the 'simple' offering of his kingdom to be a space elves could travel freely … that was no simple request either, as the group had seen on their way in. The people here, Harris knew, were not nearly so welcoming and open as he was to things beyond the ordinary, like elves … and other things. 'Other things' bringing thought to his own steward and houndmaster; both old and loyal friends both, who'd more than poven one did not have to be human to be loyal, true, and fierce allies when it came down to it. Though only Harris himself knew this; not even his sons had been privilage to know what sorts of things lived like family among them, likely thinking those like Verrick and Gregory just to be simply odd sorts of people. Though Harris had an inkling Zimmen had guessed about Gregory, especially considering many of the houndmaster's carefully scheduled days off tended to be scheduled around a very specific time of the month that paralleled moon-phases. Verrick, as odd as he was, at least seemed to do everything like a solitary bachelor would, simply keeping to himself more than most.

But most people never thought about 'others' and 'monsters' on a day-to-day basis. His people right now and likely for a while yet would view elves as alien and 'other', and react as people tend to do to such things … which would not be well. Luckily, the trade they were also agreeing upon would eventually warm them with fat purses and sure business, which would soften men and women to their kind far faster than anything else. Though fighting war would surely create brothers in arms, Harris was also sure there would be men very bitter after fighting an army of elves as well … hopefully with time and healthy trade even that kind of negativity would die down into nothing more than old history.

Harris nodded to this, shook his head at that, but the trade talk largely went well. He could see most of the agreements turning out very well, but then it came down to Darlin's request. Harris put his pen down and crossed his fingers, waiting a moment at the black haired king's silence to see if the other had more to say. The other elves seemed to be waiting for more. But Darlin seemed like he wasn't going to speak further so the king opened his mouth only to rise both eyebrows and quietly close it again as the pale elf shot up from her seat. Harris sat quietly through the confrontation, eyes widening when she said … Nor was 'on the table' so to speak. Having so recently (and very unhappily) just lost Zimmen, Harris was not exactly eager to give his youngest away, no matter the circumstances. This was a matter of parental stubbornness, especially when his wife was no longer alive to be the one who had the loudest voice in such personal battles.

Kigen was as still as stone, only reaching out to grab hold of his brother's shoulder and keep him sitting when Darlin fainted, the younger blond certainly having made a move to, well, jump up and rush over like the love-struck goob the thick man certainly was at this moment. The elder gave Nor's distressed face a very stern look that, unfortunately, did little more than keep Nor seated and straining to look over the table to the ground on the other side where Salin and Verrick were seeing to the unconscious Darlin. Verrick speedily leaving with a graceful calm before returning with a thick pillow to keep Darlin's head and shoulders elevated and off of the hard, old rug just barely offering a layer between the elf and the solid stone floor.

“Will he be needing anything else? Water? Assistance back to his room?” Verrick asked Salin quietly, ready to have servants attend to any need.

“The 'pull', huh,” Kigen said under his breath, clearly thinking it more likely this was a dramatic act of some sort to play around with his younger brother who, clearly, had too soft a heart to not be easily taken in by some pretty face. His gaze turned towards the woman who had now become the spokesperson of the group, knowing she was the prettiest woman he'd ever seen in his life but also not about to let that sway his judgment. He was soon to be married after all this mess and he'd learned to put his feelings behind steel doors when it came to matters of king and country. As king-to-be, many things fell under that category.

“Kigen.” The word was hard with a ring of finality, Harris then looking to Noran with his wrinkled features as neutral as he could make them. “Is this true, son?”

Looking horribly torn between love for Darlin and very much not wanting the elf to die, but also not wanting to disappoint his father … the young man opted for truth, and simply nodded at his father, head hanging.

The King sighed, looking towards the elves. “I will need time to think upon all this. The trade agreements I can say with great certainty we can have made ready as soon as possible. But for my city being a safe haven … I will do my best. Women, children, and wounded can stay as guests at my castle and with noble families. So it is those who can take care of themselves who will have to be beyond the inner wall. As you all likely saw on your way in … my people have not had much experience with your kind beyond what bad rumor has told them. For that to change will take time we unfortunately don't have, but a haven here I hope will still be better for Darlin's people than elsewhere. For the marital matter you mentioned, Salin, I have no daughters of my own to offer. If your king insists upon a bride, we would need to have more delegations for that. And as for the matter concerning my son ...” The old man gave Nor a long look before turning his eyes back to the elven party. “I believe that is a matter both Dalin and Noran can discuss amongst themselves in private.”

Harris sounded both sad but final. His son was a man grown, and like Zimmen had the right to decide his own fate; and he had Kigen for grandchildren. Though what Noran wanted seemed clear enough, the young prince looking shocked and Kigen looking dissatisfied a moment before his face was stone again.

"I believe it would be best to adjourn for now; and allow Dalrin to recover and he and my son to settle what is to be settled," the king said, beginning to stand and both sons quickly stood up with him; used to the king's word being final. Though ... surprisingly enough, throughout the whole proceedings, Harris had no trouble with the elven names, or telling one elf from another. Quite the unique sort of king indeed. Though Harris's biggest regret at them moment was having one son who did not know how to bend and was as hard as steel, while the other bent far too much and was as soft as boiled noodles. If only Nor could stand up for himself a bit more, and Kigen learn to get that stick out of his a** ...

*

Balrak gathered the elf up in his arms and pulled Aerion close against his chest, grumbling in clear unhappiness. "Elf ... I like all my treasure in one place," he stated the obvious, seeing as he'd pretty much scowered the city clean of every gold and jewel trinket and put it in his massive underground hoard, so it was all literally in one place. All except Aerion, who he'd allowed to live above in the city itself. But the elf needed more; it was not a question of want, but a solid matter of need. The dragon had seen firsthand Aerion deteriorate in the city, and how much better the golden-haired prince was away from it.

Balrak stroked that golden hair as he kept Aerion close against himself, as if to keep the elf right here with him forever even though it was obvious he couldn't. And the elf couldn't just have trips away; not when he was getting round. The elf would need a proper nest, a proper living space to settle into to have their young. For some reason, that thought helped calm some of the dragon's agitation at the thought of Aerion living away from his city.

"... How far do you need to go," Balrak asked simply, loosing his hold a little, so Aerion could squirm away if he wanted as he gazed attentively down at the elf. "You cannot leave my territory." It was stated as fact, hard and final. "Perhaps someplace close. In the woods? Your kind had a few living further away; farms. Wineries, with homes left to rot and let the woods claim them."

((Eee =D ))  

[Killer_Kiwi_XD]

knux33

Leanna was holding her breath, worried about when the king might say, trade routes and other things could be decided more fully at later dates but something like this was a serious matter. When Harris mentioned the marriage Leanna simply nodded. Salin was aware it would be a long time before the king would receive a bride from the kingdom but then again he was sure that in the end it would not really matter to the king as long as he actually received before the kingdom had the chance to turn it to some sort of legend or myth. When Harris finally came to a conclusion Leanna was more than happy to nod and help Salin with the still unconscious Darlin.

Leanna gently rest a hand again Darlins forehead before motioning for Salin to continue onward and take Darlin back to his room. Shavit stood and approached Verrick. "If you don’t mind… can you have some wine brought up to us? Something strong… he's going to need it." Shavit was watching Verrick still, looking him over, but at the same time his mind seemed far more distracted by the fact that a good friend was fighting a losing battle he wasn't getting the right help for. Shavit left the request at that, looking the other over once more, before turning to leave with the others. Leanna lingered behind for a moment, watching the group trudge on, she needed to take a moment to brace herself for what would come when Darlin woke.

She had done a bad thing to prove something but if she had not aggravated Darlin so greatly than nothing would have happened. Darlin would not have given the offer, he would have let himself go mad before potential insulting Noran, and no one would have believe anything she said. Still there was no for sure that she was believed, that everything would be alright, but at least Leanna had opened the door for the situation to be solved. Leanna followed after that, slowly, in the hopes that she would arrive after Darlin had already awoken and had time to shout.

Her wish came true when Darlin woke confused and with an aching head but the moment he realized he was in the rooms and he remembered what had happened he snapped his head in the direction of Salin. "What did she tell them." His voice was flat and Salin drew back, concern on his face but also a need to back away from the cornered animal Darlin had turned into. Darlin ground out the question again until finally Shavit told him all that had happened, what had been told, Darlin was off the bed he had been placed on so quickly that he stumbled before heading to the door and throwing it open. When he saw Leanna there was rage in his eyes.

"How dare you!" Darlin shouted at the other, beyond the reason to keep his voice down. "I had made my decision, I had chosen what I wanted, and you undermined my decision. You chose something for me without my consent! I had not want Noran to know Leanna, I had wanted this…this illness to go unnoticed for as long as it could! Then you just-!" He stopped, a hand gripping his head, the roaring was ridiculous in his head. Darlin looked past Leanna, down the hall, and decided he was to angry for this. He was making a scene, his was ill and making a fool of himself. "I will talk to you about this later Leanna." He growled out then headed for the stairs in the hopes that he could get away for a moment.

**

Aerion wasn't expecting Balrak to say yes, he wasn't expecting the other to understand, but then the dragon was asking him how far he needed to go and telling him the stipulations as to where he could go. He wasn't saying a trip, he wasn't saying a small journy, not this was away from the city. A safe place where the city wouldn’t make him sick, the darkness in the forest was nothing for him compared to the city and as Balrak spoke Aerion knew of the perfect place to go. It was further in the forest but he had passed it on his journey to find the city.

It was an old, and small, home with a bright untamed garden and fines everywhere. It was the one place in the forest that seemed largely untouched from what Aerion could see and that was because it held little to nothing for anyone to look through it. It was a small home, a home that was built firmly into the ground, it was warm and inviting with a standing roof and while years of over growth had grown up the side it seemed many times a passerby had check to see what lay inside only to find nothing.

Aerion leaned back in Balraks arms to look up at him "Not far at all. I know a place, a nice place, that is in the forest not far from here where I can stay. It's nice there, warm, nothing comes around from what I have seen and I am sure that everything will stay away from there. Thank you Balrak, thank you." Aerion had been worried he really would be trapped in the cursed city for the rest of his life, in this place that drove him mad.


((Next post is the long one XD ))  

[knux33]

Killer_Kiwi_XD

Verrick was inwardly cautious when Shavit approached, but quickly gave a smooth bow of his head at the request and was all business even with the elf's eyes sliding up and down him uncomfortably. The steward had been looked over before, even shamelessly flirted with by guests who had gotten tipsy during a party. But never before had he been so aware of someone's gaze on him than now, with the tan young-looking elf's brown eyes oddly hard to ignore. Verrick didn't like it. But he would do his job just the same. “It would be very awkward if I 'minded' doing my job,” he said simply at Shavit's beginning note, before going on to say: “I will have the appropriate drink brought post-haste.”

The steward gestured for the servants to begin clearing away the snacks that had largely been untouched; the food more tradition than anything else. In older times, to break bread with another man in one's home promised peace so long as they were guests. To put it a tad more bluntly: “I just put food in your gut so I'm not going to be spilling your guts anytime soon.” But now it was a simple pleasantry which left quite a lot of leftovers for the servants and their families to enjoy. The larger helpings of leftovers from proper meals sent out for those of lesser fortune. Verrick watched the servants a few long moments, waiting for the last elf to leave and the royal family to have gone before he left to go get the wine himself.

Like a molerat knowing where every single near-identical hallway led, Verrick expertly found his way down deeper and deeper down stairways and little servant's nooks until he came to the busy warm and bustling kitchen. From that loathsome atmosphere the steward slipped quickly to a back door down to a final set of stairs that led to one of the deepest spots in the castle: the wine cellar where the air was cool, still, and the place was wonderfully dark. Above all, Verrick greatly enjoyed the chance to have a quiet moment to himself in the middle of a surprisingly busy day, walking among the chilled wines and other drinks that benefited from being kept down here. There was even an ice room off the side of the cellar, making the underground haven a temperature Verrick could enjoy as he gently brushing his long fingers along the bottles to slip off any gathered dust so he could better read the labels. It was far back in a long-forgotten corner he found the bottle he was looking for of bewilderingly strong elf-wine that had been bought ages ago for some prank but never opened.

The steward gently picked up the glass bottle, holding it close as he left, glancing at other wine bottles as he walked. He was tempted to linger, licking his lips in knowledge of just how sweet some of the wines could be. If Verrick had any weakness, it was sweet things. Candy, honeyed fruits, sweet vegetables, sugared pastries, and on his nights off a nice bottle of overly sweet wine. On the job, he often had at least one glass of straight-up sugar water a day!

But for now the brown haired male simply kept his walk pace fast, long legs easily taking two stairs at a time as he gently took the wine up towards the guest wing and the hall he had the elves in. But he heard a far off echo of shouting as he approached, which quickened his pace. By the time he arrived. Darlin had already left, leaving Leanna alone in the hall. With a small frown on his face, the steward walked over to her, glancing at the half-ajar door where he could just see Salin and Shavit within. He held up the bottle. “Would it be best for me to leave this with you all, or shall I go make sure sire Darlin has it personally?”

Though before he could give or move to go give the bottle … Verrick sensed trouble. A more familiar and less heated kind of trouble. With a sigh, the steward walked into the room where Salin and Shavit were, begging their pardon before heading right over to the window and gazing calmly out before giving the window frame a very hard hitting bang. There was a loud thump from outside, like something (or someone) falling down to ground floor with a thump … and then a lot of cursing. Down below Gregory was getting to his thankfully not-broken feet and glaring up wishing he could stand there shouting profanities at the damned steward all day. Lucky for Verrick, this werewolf was far more desperate to get into Salin's pants than the usual song-and-dance they had. So if he couldn't get in through the window right now, he would just have to wait for an opportune moment when the steward was off-duty or distracted so he could make his move …

He could, technically, just rip Verrick a new one, but he had too much respect for his old friend Harris to go around breaking the king's things willy-nilly.

“... I would suggest you all keep your windows locked. Indefinitely.” Verrick said with a sigh, as if houndmasters trying to sneakily get into guest bedrooms was a sadly common occurrence.

*

Noran, after leaving the audience chamber with his family, had a damn lot to digest. Though as far as his feelings were concerned, Dalrin slowly going mad and then drowning himself was sure as sunlight not an option even worth considering. But why hadn't the elf told him things were so dire? Why had Darlin wanted to keep all this to himself? The young man was so lost in thought he didn't notice Harris grabbing Kigen rather firmly and leading the older brother off before the harder brother could give the softer one a harsh talking to that Noran really didn't need right now. Harris had said he wanted Nor and Darlin to figure this out by themselves, and he'd meant it. So, the King led the king-to-be off to the office where letters and information would keep both himself and Kigen busy for good few hours; hopefully long enough for Darlin to recover so he and Nor could have a talk.

Nor wandered off towards his room, first and foremost just needing a moment to himself and getting his armor off. As each hard metallic piece was unclamped and slipped off Noran tried to balance his want to make sure Darlin wouldn't go insane but also … to somehow be something other than what it was looking to be. Noran had always known he'd be married off to some faraway princess … though he'd never imagined he would end up being the 'princess' in the arrangement. Darlin was a proper King; a King of a scattered kingdom, but still a king. That would make Nor … what? A human among elves. He'd lived that on their trip together and he'd been able to enjoy it as much as any expedition out in the woods with fellow woodsmen, but what would it be like with a whole nation's worth of immortals? When he was forty would he still be treated as a 'kid' because in comparison to an elven lifetime he practically would be a 'young' guy up until the day he died long before a century had passed? The only good thing he'd thought of when being married off would be the chance to go live someplace where he wasn't the 'little brother' anymore; a place he could be seen as a man and not the boy so many in this kingdom remembered him to be.

Armor now sitting on a rack, Noran sat on his bed and ran a hand through his hair with a gusty sigh. There were so many 'what ifs' to worry about. But there was one thing that definitely would be if he didn't say yes. Darlin wouldn't be alive forever … maybe no even for much longer, if his passing out completely was anything to guess by.

Why … why didn't he tell me this was happening, Nor couldn't help but get stuck on, angry and worried and even frightened as he stood. He couldn't think straight with the last sight of Darlin he'd got being the elf's skin looking badly pale against his black hair as he got bodily carried out of the audience room. I need to make sure he's okay. We need to talk this over. We need to set this straight.

Finally feeling like he 100% knew what he needed to do, Noran stood and marched off, glad for the weight of armor lifted from his shoulders and solid surety of what he needed to do next. Even if everything was uncertain, he knew he needed to find Darlin. Now running through the halls and able to do so without a single wrong turn because this was his home; he'd grown up knowing every tiny nook and carny. Every shortcut and secret servant's passage.

But even with the speed, when he got to the hall where the elve's were staying and clumsily opened one door after another (not knowing which room Darlin had taken, just knowing where the elves in general were) (“Sorry twins!”) until he opened door number three where he spotted Salin and Shavit, the one's who'd carried Darlin out … but no Darlin.

“Where is he,” the prince panted, demanded, on a roll and not about to stop now.

*

Balrak sighed but squeezed Aerion lightly at all the thanks he got, like the other was surprised. "I may not know everything," the dragon was clearly loathe to admit, "but it has become obvious even to me this place is not good for you." The dragon rested his chin upon the top of Aerion's head, thrumming deeply and thoughtfully. As f to make sure the elf wasn't thinking him going soft, he added: "And I have seen most brooding creatures get very cranky. I believe it will be much better if you have space to be cranky ... elsewhere."

Inhaling the scent of Aerion's golden hair and giving the elf a nuzzle, the black-haired male gave a little mischievous, heated grin. "I shall go kill some more spider nests. Just to be sure nothing will bother you." Of course the dragon would be happy with an excuse to go burning things down for fun. And ... "Unless ... there are other fires that need starting," Balrak growled, catching the top of the elve's pointed ear with his mouth to suck on and lightly run his teeth over to get his point across.  

[Killer_Kiwi_XD]

knux33

((Truth be told I thought I wouldnt be able to write much at all... <.<))

Leanna was stone faced at the shouting, as she often was about many things, she rarely let emotions show that she did not deem necessary, which truly commended the state Darlin was in that he had not seen her act from her previous outburst, but of course she wouldn’t mention as much. Instead she stayed silent, very silent, and watched as Darlin shouted before the man realized the scene he was making and he stormed off. She turned only slightly to watch him go, face blank of the concern she was feeling, she had seen Darlin in so many states but never like this. He was fearful, panicked, and withdrawn. There was a lot he was not saying about how he was feeling and to think that… it was amazing there could be more with how much he had already expressed.

Verrick showed with the wine soon after Darlin had left, the raven haired males steps still heard echoing in the hall, Leanna glanced up at the strange man before looking back off down the hall. When Verrick turned she took her leave, deciding the man was busy enough, she didn't drink so there was no point to bothering him. All the others had the sense to stay in their rooms, mind their own business, not pry into what was going on with Darlin more than what they had with their ears pressed against the wooden doors to hear the shouting in the hall. Leanna simply sighed and decided she should look into finding a garden, a nice bright place, Darlin would look for a high spot so a garden would be far enough away from the angry male to not encore more pointless shouting.

Half way down the stone steps Leanna stilled, glancing over her shoulder, before carefully leaning against the closest of the pillars and removing her shoes. She liked this castle even more as her bare feet came in contact with cool stone. It was not as grand as the elven ones she had seen, so many her mind could hardly remember them, but it was still blissfully wonderful. The staircase was made from the same deep gray stone as the walls with carved square pillars leading to stern arch ways that grew further away as you took each step down. In order for her feet to touch to cool stone she had to walk on the side of the stairs, close enough that she could simply turn her hand to feel to cool of the stone that caged either side. Each step down met stone, cold and refreshing, before stepping to a gap where there was only air and stone warmed by the now fading light filtering in.

Leanna could close her eyes and almost pretend the stone was like the warmed ice of her home, still so strangely frozen but pleasantly cool on heated skin, she kept her eyes open instead. She stared at the red rug that seemed to stretch on and on, up the stairs, the patterns growing worn from use but still clear. It was pleasant to see a castle that looked used, that didn't have new tapestries every third week, the castle instead looked like it had been used well by the men who gathered inside it. What a strange thing too, to see the difference between men and elf, as she stepped down the last step Leanna could almost picture putting the two side by side.

The crests were of strength, and bravery, they were lions and bears. Every crest held a meaning to it and swords and weapons were present everywhere but to look at and elves crest would be to see dear, and flowers, rivers and things these men so easily trampled over without a care in the world. Men had the strength of the ice Leanna had grown up around, the will and power to cover everything in what they saw fit, and that was stone and metal. She was careful as she walked to keep bare feet off fabric, instead skirting around the elegant designs to the edges on the room where large suits of armor stood on their own.

Brilliant pieces with holes and gashes that belong to one person or another. There was honor for their dead everywhere and Leanna was finding it so easy to forget the incidents on the day as she passed through towering halls and stared at painting and stitch work. By the time she found and exit outside, her shoes still clutched in one hand, her feet were cold and the sun was nearly gone from sight. The twilight glow is what greeted her as she stepped into the grand garden with hedges and flowers. Small trees, nothing like a forest, greeted her as she stepped out and started wandering. A few maids were lighting lanterns, Leanna paid them little mind more than a nod, as she stared at the arrangement of pastels and deeper colored flowers. Everything was so green, and bright, and then there was the sound of trickling water that she chose to follow before she came to a stop in front of a large willow with a small pond behind it.

Leanna smiled as she stepped up to the tree, around the flowers at it's base, and stood up the bright green leaves to stare up into the masses above her. She had rarely seen a willow so bright, as if fueled by the life around it, such trees were so hard to keep near her current home fo the soil there was not right for something so picky. Leanna ran her fingers over a long branch, loving the way it seemed to almost curl around her hand, before carefully stepping around the tree and the flowers below it to go and peer into the pond. She stretched herself out on her belly, shoes now strewn and forgotten somewhere to her side, as she stared into the water to watch the brightly colored fish swim and spin beneath the waters.

A laugh bubbled up inside her chest, the calm look broken by one of wonder, it had been a long while since she had the pleasure to feel this kind of contentment. She turned to stare at the sky through the willow, miraculously not bending a single flower, her hand dipped lightly in the cold water was she stared at the twilight sky. When Men found something beautiful they had this fantastic habit of making it more lovely, with elves… they thought they were already the most lovely thing and nothing could compare so why should they strive so hard to make things more beautiful instead of just finding things that are already beautiful. All their grandeur seemed displeasingly clouded by pride but when men made beauty they made it GLOW. They could make a dull rose sing with color should they so choose.

**

Salin had heard the shouting in the hall, paying little to no mind to it as he knew that Darlin didn't mean the things he said, he also knew the wine was now much more for them than for the other elf who had run off to calm his head. Of course Salin had heard the noise at the window, had simply grinned and tried to pretend he didn't, and when Verrick took care of the problem the red head leaned over to carefully open the window and look out with a smirk. "Your too loud you know… You couldn’t sneak up on a troll." Salin heard Shavit chuckle behind him before he glanced over the view. "You're going to have to try much harder than sneaking in a window." With that he glanced back at the wolf before closing the window and locking it. He chuckled at Verrick and took the wine "I could hear him Verrick I just wondered how far he would get before someone else noticed…" Salin headed for the door.

"I have dealt with hounds such as him for a great while and it's time he learned how to truly hunt." With that the red head left to go find himself a pleasant hiding spot to drink the wine Darlin shouldn’t be aloud to have and tease his happy little puppy. Shavit on the other hand just stared at Verrick till Salin was gone, watching the other carefully, and the moment that red hair vanished out of sight he was on his feet and circling Verrick like a cat. Shavit knew nothing of personal space, his people rarely found a need for most clothing let alone what was considered the "appropriate" action towards strangers. Of course he had learned over the years what was appropriate but as he looked Verrick over he decided that courtesy could be damned at the moment. When Noran showed up Shavit still stared at the strange man "Find the highest place here and most likely you will find Darlin." As the prince left Shavit leaned in and sniffed the other, he smelled sweet, it was a curious smell and Shavit couldn’t help but wander around the other carefully once, then twice, then another time just to be sure.

He was short compared to the man, which was strange because Shavit had never considered himself a short person, but standing in front of Verrick now and he was smaller than him. Shavit took a step back, looking the other over, there was a glint of something in his eyes that suggested all the trouble the other male had been guessing to before quite suddenly Shavit pounced on the man and nocked them both clear over onto the bed. It was hard to pin the other with those long limbs, even though the man clearly was letting him do so, Shavit felt like a cat with it's hackles raised as he tried to breath in the other scent under the strange sweet smell and the thing that smelled so normal.

It was the sweetness that clawed at him and had him curious, his body so carefully poised not to actually touch but still cage the other that it had to be something that Shavit had taught himself with all the years he had on this planet. Shavit was quite, muscles tense, only the sound of his breathing coming from him before he licked just under the others chin in curiosity. Sweet, people didn't taste sweet, not even fat pig who at only sugar and rolled in the stuff, they never tasted sweet. He should taste salt, something acidic, a tang of bitter on his tongue at the end that had him gagging and instead it was just.. sweet. Sweet with something else under it, something that tickled at Shavits throat, he didn't like not knowing what someone was but he found the taste pleasant.

Shavit gave a small lick again, hands gripping into the bed tightly, a low rumble of something in his chest. He took a deep breath before carefully inching his way back from the others throat. He kept his head down but when he finally looked up at the other his eyes were slitted like a cats and his head was carefully tilted to one side. "I have never before met anyone who tasted sweet… I cannot figure out what exactly you are." But then again everyone always thought Shavit himself was just simply and elf. Nothing more and nothing less, an elf from the sands, but his father had many wives of different kinds including one that had been more animal than elf that Shavit was proud to call his mother. He wasn't half breed, more the son of one, but the rumble in his chest could be more easily defined as something akin to a purr. Big cats didn't purr, it was hard for them, but when pleased by something the rumbling sound could be considered that. Shavit finally sat back but when the other tried to move he didn't let him, instead planting himself more firmly on the other.

**

Darlin was quick down the stairs, taking two of the long steps at a time, he needed to find a place to be away. Something in his mind told him so firmly that he had been played, that he knew better than to judge Leanna, but he feared how far his mind had decayed. He could not even tell when one of his most trusted comrades was trying to help him and instead he saw it only as betrayal. He was nearly running as he looked for another set of stairs, a way up, he needed a way up so that he could see everything and calm himself. His blood hammered in his ears as he passed so much stone, dark stone, gray like the halls of his home that were now covered in blood and bodies.

Each corner held a darker reminder of home and things so different till Darlin found a stair case that was thing and seemed to lead up, and then to another hall, large open windows letting in the dying light and casting his running shadow across the painted faces that stared at him as he ran from his own mind. The blood in his ears sounded like water, blasting in on all sides, it was like he was being consumed already, s he climbed higher as solid stone found need to change to brick instead. No longer so carefully carved and instead jagged and open. He stopped, pressed against a wall with his chest heaving and mind turning, trying to chase away the thoughts of what would happen, his hand running over a name carved into the stone that went unnoticed by him. 'Zimmen' his fingers brushed before he was turning and running again.

His mind screamed at him that he was a fool, where had his composure gone, what had these coursing emotions done to him. They had turned him into something else and created something of him that he was not, without a steady thought in his head, turned him into something to afraid to face it's self. But that fear was breed from the fact that he was aware he had grown weak, that he had allowed this to happen, that in his addled state he had not spoken up. What had he been afraid of with not telling Noran? What had he worried so much about that had driven him to hide from the man? What was it that had him feeling like saying yes was trapping him to something he did not want?

He stumbled across a door, threw it open so hard the wood creaked as it hit the wall, then burst into a room with a ceiling so high that his breath stopped in his throat. He stared up and up, for a moment nothing but the ocean thundering in his ears on his mind, before he climbed. He climbed up the clear path as his mind ran circles in his head with questions of "Why?" and "what are you afraid of?" spinning like wind and rain in his head until that final moment he pulled himself up to a ledge where he was greeted by the sky held back like an ocean against glass. His breath caught in his throat as he stood looking up, the alcove was small but held man cushions and blankets in it that seemed to have not been touched in years. Books were pushed into corners and a plush mattress lay on the ground but all of that went unnoticed as Darlin stared at the sky and his mind halted.

When had he started to want to die? The question echoed in his mind, softly like a whisper, because it was the only one that had eluded him. It was what had torment him for so long. He had seen Salin live a good life, a great one, always finding Gregory again and again so when had Darlin decided he wanted to die? When had he stopped fighting as hard, waiting for one miss step to end him, when had he decided there was nothing left for him? Darlin fell to his knees, staring up at the sky and the emerging moon. How long ago had the thought plagued him that now… now when he had every reason to live he still felt like the chance he had been given was being ripped away from him.

He was a smart man, a good leader, he knew what was happening t his mind even in madness so when and why? He didn't notice when he had been found, when heavy breathing echoed in the room once again and grew closer and closer to where he was, he couldn’t even remember when he had laid himself out on the sheets and pressed a hand against the glass. He didn't want to die, he didn't, in his heart he didn't but he still felt so robbed of the chance. Everything died, EVERYTHING, in this world it was just the truth and now not even he would have to chance to live out that fact. He would not be allowed to die like so many other, he couldn’t ever, not if he wanted Noran with him… and then there would be years of searching as well… When the other got close Darlin sighed.

"I want…. Wanted to die Noran." He sounded confused by his own words. "I don't want to anymore but I was so angry because I had wanted to. Everything dies, you will die, and I will just be here."

**

Aerion was almost proud that Balrak had taken notice of what he needed, of the fact that this place was not good for him, maybe after the baby he would be fine here but not now. Not when everything crushed his senses, when walking the halls made him feel sick, though the pleasant talk was soon changed to a different sort of pleasant when Balrak nibbled on his ear, a chuckle bubbling up from Aerions chest. Of course the dragon complained about him, said he was the one that always wanted it, but Aerion knew very well that the dragons was just as heated as him. He had something at his disposal that he could mate at any time, no questions asked, the dragon was probably more than pleased whenever he got the chance to start another fire and let it burn.

Aerion was willing to start this fire but Balrak would still need to be rid of the spiders. Aerion couldn’t very well fight off a group of them with a tiny Halfling growing inside his stomach and he just hoped Balrak would realize that. "You still need to come see me while I am out there Balrak. No excuses, you must, until I start really brooding. Then you can run away." Aerion smiled before giving Balrak a playful kiss on the lips. He doubted that in a month or so the other would be so interested in laying with him. His stomach would be bigger and he was sure the dragon was not used to hatchlings that were not in eggs.